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12/12/2018, 08:00 PM | #1 |
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Returning after 10 years...Top 5 protein skimmers?
Hi,
I've been out of the hobby for almost 10 years now, with my 3 year old son loving Blue planet, the "bug" has got me again. BUT I need help! Equipment has changed so much! Right before I got out I had a Bubble King skimmer and now I do not even recognize the names of the skimmers anymore. Can someone please list the top 5 or so protein skimmers? Looking for a decent one so please help! Thanks, Nick |
12/12/2018, 08:47 PM | #2 |
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Dunno about top 5, but I have used and like Aquamaxx and Lifereef (actually replaced by the Aquamaxx) as well as Tunze for a nano tank. Space in your sump and size of the tank will be important considerations.
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Bruce Current Tank Info: 150G mixed reef (6x Blue Acro 20K Pro COB LEDs, 4x 80W T5 supplement), 150g fw discus (T5 lighting), 110G fw Angelfish (DIY LED lighting), 4 x 40 g frag tanks (DIY LED). |
12/12/2018, 10:03 PM | #3 |
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Royal exclusive
Vertex Alpha Lifereef Reef Octopus Nyos No particular order. They might not all be in the top 5, but they ring a bell and albeit pretty close.
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60x36x24 mixed reef. 40b sump. Regal 250int Varios. 4xHydra26HDs+t5s. 4xMp40wes. Apex2016. |
12/13/2018, 05:56 AM | #4 |
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Thanks guys. The tank will likely be between 120-180 gallons still trying to decide. In the past I used to always oversized the skimmer as I like to keep a heavy fish load.
Nick |
12/13/2018, 06:23 AM | #5 |
It's Dr. Goodluck Himself
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Nothing beats my ETSS. Nothing close. Some changes in this time have not been for the better!
But you can only get them used now....
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It's the return of Dr. Goodluck Himself. fml! Current Tank Info: 156G "brick", 150 sump and 75 fuge replaces Fire, Destruction, Sad :( |
12/13/2018, 10:22 AM | #6 |
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BK is still in my "Top List". I personally have run BK, ATB, Euroreefs, Reef Octopus, Deltec, with a number of others. If you had good luck with Royal Exclusive products in the past I would stick with them. Their quality and performance is still waaay up there! Scott Leif (Slief here on RC) is the USA rep. He is a great guy and will help you in anyway he can. My vote is BK.
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Reef keeping is where Murphy's Law and your bank account collide!! TOTM May 2006 |
12/13/2018, 10:47 AM | #7 |
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I just upgraded to the bubble Magus Curve Elite. Thing is legit. Was skimming first day. Best skimmer I have ever had.
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12/14/2018, 06:46 AM | #8 | |
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Quote:
You can oversize and it won't break the bank. You may remember me...............I bought your external Deltec from you. If you want similar performance none of the internal skimmers will perform as well.
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80g Rimless Acropora System reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2197142&page=31 Ed |
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12/14/2018, 07:29 AM | #9 | |
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Quote:
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Natural Reefer Current Tank Info: 600 gallon Carribean Reef System, ETSS Protein Skimmer, 1.5HP Tradewinds Chiller, Reef Breeders Photon V2+ LED Lighting For The Refugium, Mitra LX7206 LED Lights For Display Tank |
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12/14/2018, 08:08 AM | #10 | |
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I have to agree with you Ed, I was a sceptic but Aquamaxx cone 2 on 130 gal system works so well. If I had a 180 I"d get the cone 3 and be done with it. I was out of the hobby for 13 years and back then had the big name skimmers. Aquamaxx just works very well IME. Good luck with your tank Nick and enjoy the hobby! HTH
Joe Quote:
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130 gallon LeeMar rimless 54"x28"x21" and 70 gallon sump cycling, rock and sand. |
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12/14/2018, 09:20 AM | #11 |
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I agree with Aquamaxx skimmers.
I’ve had their CO-1 skimmer, Q3 and now FC-280. They’re awesome! Mine have always broken in almost instantly after a quick rinse in faucet water. On sale at 20% off from Marine Depot makes them a no brainer. Actually I saw the CO-2 version on sale this week. This is a few days after setup of the FC-280: My Q3 that’s going on my other tank: Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
12/14/2018, 11:01 AM | #12 |
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Aquamaxx as well. I ran the q2 on my 125 and now the q3 on my 180 . Hands down the best skimmer I ever used. Its literally set it and forget it.
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12/14/2018, 11:14 AM | #13 |
Proud user of IO Salt!
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If your budget is a little tight, Aquamaxx is a good bang for your buck skimmer. If your budget is a little open, go with Bubble King like you had before.
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Mike <*)))>{ <*)))>{ <*)))>{ <*)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 60*30*20, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1 |
12/14/2018, 09:41 PM | #14 |
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The Q3 is 25% off right now. Best price I’ve seen it for.
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12/15/2018, 03:47 PM | #15 |
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12/15/2018, 05:37 PM | #16 |
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12/15/2018, 07:29 PM | #17 |
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12/15/2018, 11:35 PM | #18 |
Grizzled & Cynical
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Some things have certainly changed in the last 10 years, though the underlying principles of the skimmer have not. I’d still be using the same skimmer from 10 years ago had I not cleverly broken it. If you’re looking for a serious skimmer, then ETSS, MTC, MRC or lifereef. Otherwise, I don’t think it really matters .... they all look about the same to me.
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Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs |
12/16/2018, 08:27 AM | #19 |
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Lifereef.
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Jack "Shellsea" 120 mixed reef, Reef Breeder Photon 48, Apex and a proud owner of a Lifereef Skimmer |
12/16/2018, 01:43 PM | #20 |
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I have a 180 and am using a Vertex omega 200i and it is awesome. It is WAY underrated and I only run it during the day and shut it down at night and it is phenomenal. When I tried to run it 24/7 it was a nightmare because it’s so efficient. My tank only has 10 or so fish though. If you are going to stock it heavily check out the Vertex. I swapped from an aquamaxx to the vertex because I won it in a raffle and it is a beast...and I LOVED the aqaumaxx. I think this Vertex would handle a 500 gallon tank well stocked !
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